Apparatus and method of forming an improved fabric dryer ball

ABSTRACT

Described herein are various dryer accessory devices primarily forming a fabric dryer ball with an absorbent material interior, such as a sponge material interior, and a conductive or metal banding or metallic-based sleeve or cover for covering the sponge interior. In one example, an exterior of the dryer ball is made of wool with a cut-out on the bottom to allow water (or other liquids) to be added to the sponge interior. The water turns into steam from the heat of the hot dryer which lessens wrinkles in clothes. An aluminum band or another form of metal is located around the sponge interior which dissipates the static in clothes.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This nonprovisional application claims priority to and the benefit of, under 35 USC § 119(e), U.S. Provisional patent application filed on Apr. 9, 2018 with Ser. No. 62/654,974, entitled METHODS OF FORMING AN IMPROVED FABRIC DRYER BALL, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to an improved fabric dryer ball and methods of forming the fabric dryer ball.

BACKGROUND

Currently there are a number of solutions for dryer balls. One of these solutions attempts to utilize steam releasing dryer balls, but this solution fails to meet the needs of the market because these dryer balls are made of plastic which become noisy when bouncing around in the dryer and the plastic degrades quickly over time. Another solution attempts to utilize aluminum foil balls, but this solution is similarly unable to meet the needs of the market because these balls need to be replaced after a few uses and do not aid in softening fabric. Still another solution seeks to use wool dryer balls, but this solution also fails to meet market needs because these wool dryer balls are not always fully effective at reducing static and wrinkles in clothing and linen.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It would be advantageous to have a device and a method of making same that utilizes basic materials such as aluminum and wool. Furthermore, it would also be advantageous to have a dryer accessory that releases steam when heated. Still further, it would be advantageous to have a dryer accessory that is configured to release scented steam if desired by users. Therefore, there currently exists a need in the market for an apparatus or device that combines the use of wool, aluminum, or other metals, and a sponge in a dryer ball to reduce static cling and wrinkles in clothing and linen.

The invention advantageously fills the aforementioned deficiencies by providing a dryer accessory, such as a dryer ball, and methods of forming a fabric dryer ball with absorbent interior and a conductive material member disposed at least partially about the interior or exterior and formed in various configurations, which provides a soft bounce dryer ball that reduces wrinkles and static in clothing. In various embodiments described herein, the conductive material member is formed into one of a metal band, a metal sphere, a metal mesh sphere, a metal spiraled sphere, metal infused material or metallic sprayed coating.

In one example embodiment, there is provided a dryer appliance accessory including an absorbent material member, such as a sponge member, and a conductive material member, such as a metallic member, disposed at least partially about and in contact with the absorbent material or sponge member; and a fabric cover layer disposed substantially about the metallic member and the sponge member. In a related example embodiment, the fabric cover layer optionally includes at least one an opening exposing the sponge member.

In one example embodiment, the dryer ball accessory replaces dryer sheets and provides a wool exterior, a sponge interior and a metal member disposed at least partially there between. The apparatus fulfills the need for reducing drying time of clothing.

Among other things, it is an advantage of the invention to provide various embodiments and methods of forming a wool dryer ball with the sponge interior and metal member configuration (e.g., metal banding) that does not suffer from any of the problems or deficiencies associated with prior solutions. It is still further an advantage of the invention to have a softer bounce when tumbling around within the dryer. Still further, the apparatus, in another embodiment, has an aluminum band, or band made of other metal compounds, disposed at least partially about the sponge interior. The various embodiments disclosed herein are not limited to spherical shapes or configurations and are configurable into a spheroid, an ellipsoid, a cylinder, a frustocone, a cube or a hexagonal prism.

The invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are intended to be read in conjunction with both this summary, the detailed description and any preferred and/or particular embodiments specifically discussed or otherwise disclosed. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided by way of illustration only and so that this disclosure will be thorough, complete and will fully convey the full scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate a first dryer accessory in the form of a sphere and its various components.

FIG. 2 illustrates the first dryer accessory in an exploded view.

FIG. 3 illustrates a second dryer accessory embodiment including a metallic mesh interior.

FIG. 4 illustrates the second dryer accessory in an exploded view.

FIG. 5 illustrates a third dryer accessory embodiment with a spiral body interior configuration.

FIG. 6 illustrates the third dryer accessory embodiment in an exploded view.

FIG. 7 illustrates a fourth dryer accessory embodiment with a homogenous metallic layer configuration.

FIG. 8 illustrates the fourth dryer accessory embodiment in an exploded view.

FIGS. 9A-9C illustrate perspective, top and bottom views of a fifth embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 10 illustrates an exploded view of the fifth embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 11A and 11B illustrate an internal metal core of the fifth embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Following are more detailed descriptions of various related concepts related to, and embodiments of, methods and apparatus according to the present disclosure. It should be appreciated that various aspects of the subject matter introduced above and discussed in greater detail below may be implemented in any of numerous ways, as the subject matter is not limited to any particular manner of implementation. Examples of specific implementations and applications are provided primarily for illustrative purposes. The invention provides various embodiments of dryer accessory devices formed from a wool dryer ball with sponge interior and metal banding and is reusable.

Referring to the figures, FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate a front and a bottom view of a first dryer accessory or dryer ball 10 in the form of a sphere, but not necessarily limited to a spherical shape, and its various components. FIG. 2 illustrates the first dryer accessory 10 in an exploded view. In this example embodiment, dryer ball 10 includes an absorbent material or sponge interior body 20 and a conductive material or metallic band 30 disposed at least partially about sponge interior body 20. In this example embodiment, metallic band 30 is formed from aluminum foil or sheet but band 30 is not limited to aluminum and is configurable from other metals. Substantially covering band 30 and sponge interior body 20 is a fabric cover 40. In this example embodiment, the fabric of cover 40 is wool but can include other materials such as cotton or other heat resistant and porous material. In this example embodiment, exterior fabric cover 40 includes a cut-out 42 or opening on the bottom of cover 40 to allow water (or other liquids or liquified agents) to be added to the sponge interior body. The water in the sponge body turns into steam from the hot dryer appliance which assists to lessens wrinkles in clothes. Aluminum band 30, or any other form of metal, located around sponge interior body 20 dissipates the static in clothes or linen.

In a related embodiment, the dryer accessory includes an absorbent member and a fabric cover layer disposed substantially about the absorbent member. The dryer accessory also includes a conductive member that is disposed at least partially about and in contact with the absorbent member. In yet another related embodiment, the fabric cover layer is a composite of fabric with one or more conductive elements embedded therein or that are formed together, the composite fabric cover layer being disposed at least partially about the absorbent member. The absorbent member is made from a sponge-like or cellulose material having air pockets formed therein.

Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, there is illustrated a second dryer accessory embodiment 100 including a metallic mesh interior 130, a wool layer 140 exterior (with an opening 142) and a sponge ball interior 120, with the metallic or steel mesh ball 130 disposed around sponge ball 120. In this example embodiment, sponge ball 120 is also impregnated with water or other moisturizing substances through opening 142. Specifically, FIG. 4 illustrates the second dryer accessory 100 in an exploded view. In this example embodiment, mesh ball 130 has substantially rectangular openings but the openings can be formed of circular or other geometrically desired shapes.

Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, there is illustrated a third dryer accessory embodiment 200 with a spiral body interior configuration 230, a wool layer 240 exterior (with an opening 242) and a sponge ball interior 220, with spiral body 230 being disposed around the sponge ball. In this example embodiment, sponge ball 220 is also impregnated with water or other moisturizing substances through opening 242. FIG. 6 specifically illustrates the third dryer accessory embodiment 200 in an exploded view.

Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8, there is illustrated a fourth dryer accessory embodiment 300 with a homogenous metallic layer configuration 330 (in the form of a foil layer). Dryer accessory 300 includes a sponge ball interior 320 with a first wool layer 350 (having an opening 352) disposed over sponge 320 then foil layer 330 is disposed over wool layer 350 and finally a second wool layer 340 that is disposed over foil layer 330. In this example embodiment, sponge ball 320 is also impregnated with water or other moisturizing substances through opening 352. FIG. 8 illustrates the fourth dryer accessory embodiment 300 in an exploded view.

Referring now to FIGS. 10 and 11A and 11B, there is illustrated another example embodiment of a dryer accessory 400. Dryer accessory 400 includes a metallic sleeve-like or cylindrical body interior configuration 430 with a plurality of downward extending exterior teeth 432 and a plurality of upward extending interior teeth 434. A wool layer or exterior cover 440 (with an opening 442) covers metallic body 430 while a cylindrical shaped sponge interior 420 is fitted within metallic body 430. In this example embodiment, cylindrical sponge member 420 is also impregnated through bottom end 422 with water or other moisturizing substances through opening 442. FIGS. 11A and 11B specifically illustrate enlarged perspective and side views of metallic member 430 having the plurality of downward teeth 432 that are outside of member 430 and point downward to lock metallic band 430 to the inside of wool ball or cover 440. The plurality of upward extending interior teeth 434 point upward to lock sponge member 420 within wool cover 440. This design improves adherence of all components to each other to improve the overall integrity of dryer accessory 400 during the drying and tumbling process. In a related embodiment, the sponge interior includes metallic particles or conductive strips for conducting the static built up in the dryer allowing the elimination of the metallic sleeve or metallic mesh ball in the dryer accessory.

The following patents are incorporated by reference in their entireties: U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,014,105; 4,567,675; and 7,441,345.

While the invention has been described above in terms of specific embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to these disclosed embodiments. Upon reading the teachings of this disclosure many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come to mind of those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains, and which are intended to be and are covered by both this disclosure and the appended claims. It is indeed intended that the scope of the invention should be determined by proper interpretation and construction of the appended claims and their legal equivalents, as understood by those of skill in the art relying upon the disclosure in this specification and the attached drawings. 

1. A dryer appliance accessory comprising: an absorbent material member; a conductive material member disposed at least partially about and in contact with the absorbent material member; and a fabric cover layer disposed substantially about the conductive material member and the absorbent material member.
 2. The dryer accessory of claim 1 wherein the fabric cover layer includes at least one an opening exposing the absorbent material member.
 3. The dryer accessory of claim 1 wherein the shape of the absorbent material member is substantially spherical and is made from a sponge or cellulose material.
 4. The dryer accessory of claim 1 wherein the conductive member is formed from a metallic material and is configured into one of a metal band, a metal mesh sphere, a metal spiral sphere, a homogenous spherical member, metallic spray, infusion or coating.
 5. The dryer accessory of claim 4, wherein the metallic member is configured from one of aluminum, steel, conductive metal and other conductive materials.
 6. The dryer accessory of claim 3, wherein the sponge member is configured to absorb a liquid agent.
 7. The dryer accessory of claim 1, wherein the fabric cover layer includes at least one opening exposing the absorbent material member.
 8. A dryer appliance accessory comprising: an absorbent member; and a fabric cover layer disposed substantially about the absorbent member.
 9. The dryer accessory of claim 8 wherein a conductive member is disposed at least partially about and in contact with the absorbent member.
 10. The dryer accessory of claim 8 wherein the fabric cover layer is a composite of fabric with one or more conductive elements embedded therein, the composite fabric cover layer being disposed at least partially about the absorbent member. 